Baking is an art. You start with the essential dishes and containers then get together your ingredients to create an amazing edible masterpiece. Baking has special needs that set it apart from cooking because it needs all sorts of different tools and ingredients. There are essentials that you just have to have to create the perfect cooking environment as well as the essentials you have to have to ensure the taste is perfect. As long as you have an oven and a sweet tooth, you're ready to start. Stocking your pantry isn't hard, but you can't create the best desserts if you don't have the best ingredients to get the ball rolling. We've got all you need to know to start setting up your kitchen with baking essentials. These baking essentials will get you on the road to baking your edible masterpieces.
Essential Baking Dishes and Containers
In order to make a wide variety of creations, you’re going to need the infrastructure to get them cooked. A single pan just isn’t enough. Here’s some of the main essentials to help you cook:
- Baking Pans - Baking pans are a secret weapon to the best cakes. A thick baking pan with a light-colored finish will be safe and easy to use for all of your baking. You can go with square baking pans if you want those perfectly crisp corners on brownies. Don't go with dark finishes because they brown too fast and often burn the bottoms.
- Sheet Pan - It's usually best for bakers to use a half sheet pan. These are perfect for cookies. The darker sheet pans will usually brown quickly so be careful not to burn your goodies. The non-stick sheet pans are great to use because your baked goods won't ever stick to them.
- Round Cake Pans - Most people use an 8 inch round cake pan for baking. This will cook your cake evenly and keep in the moisture. If you're going to make multi layer cakes, you can use a set at the same time in the oven.
- Muffin Pan - You can make everything from muffins to everyday recipes in your standard 12-cup muffin pan. Use liners so you don't have to clean out the tiny circles. It's best to buy the standard size so your cupcake wrappers will easily fit.
- Mixing Bowls - You can technically use anything for a mixing bowl. The best thing to use for baking is a set of lightweight plastic bowls. You can also use glass bowls because they are safe to use in the microwave.
- Measuring Cups - Measuring cups and spoons are your best friends when it comes to baking. Even when you're a master baker, it's important to measure out your ingredients.
Items and Ingredients you Need in a Baking Pantry
Now you know what you need to get your recipes in and baking. But you still need to ingredients to create them in the first place. Stock your pantry with these items:
- Flour - All-purpose flour is your main ingredient in most baked goods. This is made with hard and soft wheat giving it a fluffy texture perfect for baking. You can add specialty flours like whole wheat flour, cake flour, cornmeal, and bread flour to your pantry to make different types of baked items.
- Basic Leaveners - Leaveners are the ingredients that fill the dough and batters with the gas bubbles that make your creations rise. These are things like baking powder, baking soda, yeast, and eggs.
- Sugar - Sugar gives your recipes their sweet, yummy taste. There are a few different types you can use when baking. These include raw sugar, powdered sugar, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Have the right one for the right recipe.
- Salt - Use granulated table salt in your baking. Don't put too much or you'll overpower the taste. Some bakers use sea salt because it has a grainy texture perfect for topping things like brownies and cookies.
- Butter - Most bakers use unsalted butter in their recipes. This is put into batters, cookie dough, and frosting to ensure it has a rich texture.
- Eggs - Eggs bring your ingredients together. Baking brings together liquid and dry ingredients, so eggs help bind them.
- Milk - Milk is another item that gives your goodies the moisture they need. Many bakers prefer whole milk to give the items a rich flavor.
After you get all of these kitchen essentials together, you're ready to bake up a storm. You can add other items as you figure out what works best for you in the kitchen. Overall, have fun and get to baking.
